Amusement device with toppling playing pieces



L. B. ROSEN 3,283,440

AMUSEMENT DEVICE WITH TOPPLING PLAYING PI ECES Nov. 8, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 4, 1964 Leonard B.

Rosen INVENTOR ATTORNEYS AMUSEMENT DEVICE WITH TOPPLING PLAYING PIECES Filed May 4, 1964 ROSEN NOV. 8

5 Sheet 2 I H as Leonard B Rosen INVENTORI ATTORNEYS AMUSEMENT DEVICE WITH TOPPLING PLAYING PIECES Filed May 4, 1964 L. B. ROSEN Nov. 8, 1966 :5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Leonard B. Rosen FIG 7 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,283,440 AMUSEMENT DEVICE WITH TOPPLING PLAYlNG PIEEES Leonard B. Rosen, RD. 2, Jamestown, Pa. Filed May 4, 1964, Ser. No. 364,591 13 Claims. (Cl. 46-1) This invention relates to an amusement device and more particularly it relates to a game board designed for use in combination with a plurality of playing pieces which can be aligned thereon and uccessively toppled.

It is well known that when certain types of upstanding playing pieces, such as dominoes, are located in spaced alignment along a path, manual toppling of the endmost playing piece in the path will cause it to strike the penultimate playing piece which in turn strikes its adjacent playing piece and so on until the entire row of playing pieces has been serially or successively toppled. The alignment and toppling of such playing pieces not only serves as a time-consuming form of amusement for children, convalescent patients, and others, but also serves as an exercise for increasing manual dexterity.

However, while the aforementioned alignment and toppling of playing pieces can take place along .a linear path, there has in the past been no means for a single toppling operation to turn a corner and to thus continue toppling of pieces in another intersecting linear path unless the pieces were arranged in a broad are or radial curve at the intersection of the paths. Furthermore, regardless of whether such past paths have been merely one straight line or a plurality of gradually merging straight lines, such past paths have been generally coplanar and almost always horizontal. It is felt that the amusement value derived from such a set-up can be greatly increased by utilizing an inclined stepped path or even-more so by using a set of intersecting incline-d stepped paths. Such paths would utilize, to a fuller extent, the gravitational characteristics of the toppling playing pieces .and would thu enhance the quality of amusement derived therefrom.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an amusement device which employs a plurality of toppling playing pieces.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a game board having a series of intersecting paths thereon, with such a board to be used in conjunction with a set of playing pieces which may be aligned and toppled along such paths.

Further general, though equally significant, objects of the present invention include the provision of an amusement device which: (a) is easily manipulable by hand to permit playing pieces to be digitally aligned and toppled; (b) is inexpensive, yet is durable and attractive; (c) allows playing pieces to be serially toppled along intersecting paths and around sharp corners; and (d) provides an enjoyabie recreational unit which increases manual dexterity.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of game board apparatus, which, when used in conjunction with a set of playing pieces, constitutes an amusement device in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the amusement device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view, similar to FIGURE 3, but showing the playing pieces in a toppled position;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a reduced scale top plan view of the amusement device of FIGURE 1 with the movable portions of the game board being swung open to facilitate loading of the playing pieces;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of game board apparatus, which, when used in conjunction with a set of playing pieces, constitutes an amusement device in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the game board apparatus of FIGURE 7;

In accordance with the principles of the present invention and as can be seen generally from FIGURES l and 7 thereof, there is provided an amusement device generally designated 10 which includes a game board generally designated 12 having mounted thereon, pivotal gate means generally designated 14. A plurality of playing pieces generally designated 16 are provided for use in conjunction with the game board 14.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the game board 12 can be seen to include a frame with a base portion 18 [having integral upstanding spaced side walls 20 joined at their upper ends by a top cross-member 22. A back piece 24 extends between the side walls to convert the game board into a form of upstanding display box having an open front. If desired, animated figures or other decorative insignias may be placed on the inner surfaces of the back piece and side walls to form a scene which can be visually observed through the open front of the game board. The frame pieces 18, 29, 22 and 24 can be formed integrally or can be separate interconnected pieces.

In order to mount the playing pieces 16, a plurality of playing paths .generally designated 26 are disposed in intersecting relation along the game board 12. In FIG- URE 1, each path 26 is formed by an inclined member 28 having a plurality of separate steps 30 on its upper surface, with each step 30 being designed to accommodate a playing piece 16. On the outer side of each member 28, which is that side disposed toward the open front of the game board 12, a fixed column 32 is mounted aside the uppermost and the lowermost step 39. A guide rail 34 extends between each pair of columns 32 in substantially parallel alignment with the member 28 to thus assure that no playing piece 16 can inadvertently fall off a step and out the trout of the game board 12. The height of the rail 34 is such that it preferably intersects the center of the playing pieces 16 to be placed on the steps so.

The innermost paths 26, or those contiguous .to the back piece 24, are arranged in FIGURE 1 in a descending orientation from left to right. The end portions 35 of each inner member 28 are fixed to the opposite side walls 20, or to the back piece 24, or both. Since the ends 36 are fixed, the inner paths themselves are immovable and thus remain in the orientation in which they are assembled to the game board frame pieces. The inner paths 26 are spaced from one another in parallel disposition, with the steps 31 on each path descending at substantially the same angle.

The outermost paths 26, or those extending forwardly of the side walls 20, are arranged in FIGURE 1 in a descending orientation from right to left and, as such, serve to interconnect each pair of spaced adjacent inner paths.

. In other words, the upper end portion 38 of an outer path intersects at a vertex with the lower end of an inner path and the lower end portion 40 of that outer path intersects at a vertex with the upper end of the adjacent lower inner I path. The result is a series of oppositely directed paths 26 forming a zig-zag configuration within the game board frame which produces one continuous downward path which periodically Changes its descent direction from a left to right orientation to a right to left orientation.

Each lower end portion 40 on the outer paths 26 is pivotally affixed to the side wall 20 by a hinge means 42. This hinge connection permits the entire outer path member 28 to be swung outwardly, as shown in FIGURE 6, to facilitate the placement of playing pieces on the inner paths. Each upper end portion 38 on the outer. paths 26, and preferably each lower end portion 40 as well, is provided with a stub pin 44 which mates with an aligned recess 46 in the end portion 36 of the inner path, as shown in FIGURE 5, to assure that the outer path will be firmly supported by the fixed inner path. As can best be seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, it is necessary to provide a small space between the inner and outer paths to accommodate the columns 32 which support the guide rail 34 for the inner paths. This small space is formed by having the abutting faces of the ends. 36 and 38, and 36 and 40, being formed slightly larger than the rest of the member 28, so that when the faces on the ends 33 and 40 of an outer member 28 abut against the faces on the ends 36 of an inner member 28, the steps 30 on the inner and outer members are slightly spaced apart.

At each vertex where an inner path intersects an outer path, a pivotal gate means 14 is provided. The gate means includes a flat base member 48 adapted to lie upon and extend across the end 36 of an inner path and the associated or adjacent end 38 or 40 of an outer path. Each base member 48 has an aperture 50 therein to receive a pin 52 which extends upwardly from the end 36 of the inner path, as shown in FIGURE 5. The pin 52 serves to mount the base member 4-8 in a fixed position, yet permits the outer path 26 to be pivoted or swung outwardly to the position of FIGURE 6. An upstanding sleeve 54 projects above the base member 43, in a manner as shown in FIGURES 2 through 4, and in a medial position between the inner and outer paths 26. A post 56 is removably mounted within the sleeve 54 and at the upper end of the post, above the level of the sleeve 54, transverse pins 58 act as projecting means which extend at least partially across both the inner and outer paths. Preferably, the pins 58 are spaced 180 apart.

The playing pieces 16 are preferably thin, upstanding rectangular blocks, such as dominoes, but they may also be shaped as figures or toys, if desired. The important 7 feature about the playing pieces is that they must be rela tively slim or slender in thickness so that they have very little resistance to tipping and thus can be easily toppled. The playing pieces 16 are arranged, as shown inFIG- URES 1 through 3,'with one playing piece 16 on each step 30 of each path 26. To accomplish such an arrangement, the outer paths can be pivoted outward, as shown in FIGURE 6, to. allow the pieces 16 to be located on the inner paths. Then, the pieces can be placed on the outer paths which are subsequently pivoted back into position.

' path and creating a successive .toppling of the pieces 16 At this time, a playing piece 16 should be positioned on each step of the amusement device. In FIGURE 1, suchv playing pieces are only positioned on oneinner and one outer path, but this is solely for purposes of simpler illustration.

When all of the playing pieces 16 are properly positioned, the uppermost end piece can be digitally toppled toward its adjacent piece. In FIGURE 1, the uppermost end piece is identified as 16' and is located in the upper left hand corner of the amusement device 10. When the piece 16'topples, it strikes its next adjacent piece 16 which is one step 30 lower along the inner path 26. That piece strikes and topples its adjacent piece, and the pieces 16 on the inner path 26 continue to successively or serially topple until they reach the lower end of the inner path. The lower end piece 16" in FIGURES 1 through 3, strikes the projecting means 58 and causes it to pivot, as shown in FIGURE 4, thus striking the top piece 16 in the outer the vertex.

in the outer path 26. It can thus be appreciated that, through the medium of the gate means 14,1the toppling action is transferred from an inner path to an outer path, then back to an inner path, and so on until the entire series of playing pieces 16 on the board have been toppled. This toppling effect is initiated by digital manipulation of only one piece 16' which starts a chain reaction which successively topplesevery piece 16 on the device 10. Such a result is both entertaining and interesting to observe, and provides'an amusing form of novelty device.

As the pieces 16 topple, the guide rails 34 prevent them from falling off the steps 30.

It will, of course, be appreciated that in the previously described amusement device, gravity was a factor which enhanced the toppling action since all of the paths 26 were inclined downwardly. However, while the; gravitational effects of the FIGURE 1 device are useful and interesting, they are not necessary for proper operation of the device, since it has been found that satisfactory results can be obtained where all of the paths are coplanar. An amusement device incorporating this latter construction is shown in FIGURE 7 wherein the game board 12 is a flat, planar sheet having a plurality of angularly extending, intersecting paths 26 imprinted on one surface thereof in coplanar relationship with one another. means 14 is provided at each vertex where two paths 26 intersect. As in the FIGURE 1 device, the gate means 14 includes a base member 48, at least one upstanding sleeve 54 located near a corner of the base member, a post 56 disposed within the sleeve, and projecting means 58 t extending from the post 56 and at least partially into a path 26. However, the projecting means 58 of FIGURE particularly adaptable for use as a game. The paths 26 can be formed to simulate streets or sidewalks and auxiliary pieces such as miniature houses or apartments 60' can vbe employed to permit various forms of games to be played with the board and pieces, The playing pieces 16 i can be positioned at spaced intervals along the paths 26, as shown at the upper right-hand corner of FIGURE 7, and when one playing piece is toppled, it strikes the next adjacent playing piece in the path and thus initiates a successive toppling of the playing pieces in the path toward When the playing piece nearest the vertex topples, it pivots the projecting means 58 of the gate means 14 to thus initiate toppling in the intersecting path 26. Thus, one single toppling action, which can be initiated :by digitally tipping one piece 16, is transmitted along the various intersecting paths 26 on the board 12 I to thereby successively cause every playing piece 16 on the board to topple over. The result is the same type of fascinating and unique noveltydevice as is shown in FIGURE 1, although the FIGURE 7 device is more compact and simple in its construction.

After reading the foregoing description, it should be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved. Accordi y,

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement device for use in combinationwith a plurality of playing pieces adapted to be aligned and successively toppled, said device comprising:

a game board having at least two angularly extending.

a plurality of playing pieces, each of said playing pieces.

having means adapted to be disposed in spaced upstanding alignment along said paths whereby, when a playing piece in one path is toppled toward said A gate.

vertex, it topples the next adjacent playing piece and initiates a successive toppling of pieces in that path toward said vertex until a piece strikes and pivots said projecting means which then strikes a piece in the other path and thus causes the pieces in that path to topple successively away from said vertex.

2. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said game board is a planar sheet and wherein said paths are imprinted thereon and hence are coplanar.

3. An amusement device as defined in claim 2 wherein said gate means includes a base member having an upstanding sleeve thereon and a post freely mounted within said sleeve and having said projecting means extending therefrom.

4. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said game board includes an upstanding frame and wherein said paths extend angularly across said frame and meet at said vertex at one side thereof.

5. An amusement device as defined in claim 4 wherein said paths have steps formed thereon for receiving individual playing pieces. a

6. An amusement device as defined in claim 5 wherein at least one of said paths can be pivoted toward and away from the other of said paths.

7. An amusement device in which a plurality of discrete playing pieces can be aligned and successively toppled, said device comprising:

a game board having an upstanding frame including spaced, substantially vertical side walls;

a plurality of intersecting paths upon said game board extending angularly to one another; each of said paths being formed by an inclined member having a stepped upper surface;

a first series of said inclined members being disposed in spaced parallel relation between said side walls with said stepped upper surfaces tapering downward toward the base of said game board;

a second series of said inclined members being disposed in spaced parallel relation and extending downward in a direction opposite to that of said first series of members;

each member in said second series intersecting and extending between the lower end of one of said first series members and the upper end of the next adjacent lower first series member;

said first and second series of members thus defining a continuous depending zig-zag path means having a plurality of vertices, one formed at the intersection of each first and second series members;

pivotal gate means disposed at each vertex and includin g projecting means which extends partially over the stepped portion of said first and second intersecting members; and

a plurality of playing pieces, each of said playing pieces having means adapted to be disposed in upstanding alignment along the stepped surfaces of said paths whereby, when one playing piece is digitally toppled, it initiates a successive toppling of playing pieces to strike and pivot said projecting means and thus continue said successive toppling until all playing pieces have been serially toppled.

8. An amusement device as defined in claim 7 wherein said second series members are hingeably connected to one side wall and hence are pivotable toward and away from said first series members to facilitate mounting of said playing pieces.

9. An amusement device as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said inclined members has a guide rail disposed along one side thereof at a height above the level of said stepped upper surfaces.

10. An amusement device as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivotal gate means each includes a base member having an upstanding sleeve thereon and a post rotatably mounted within said sleeve and having said projecting means extending therefrom.

11. An amusement device as defined in claim 10 wherein said base members are attached solely to said first series members to thus permit said gate means to remain fixed in position even if said second series members are moved.

12. An amusement device comprising:

a flat game board having a plurality of angularly extending paths thereon intersecting at vertices;

a pivotal gate means disposed adjacent at least one of said vertices;

said pivotal gate means including a base member which rests upon said game board adjacent two intersecting paths;

said base member having an upstanding sleeve thereon immediately adjacent the vertex where said two paths intersect;

said pivotal gate means also including an elongated post having transverse projections extending from its upper end;

said post being rotatably mounted within said sleeve with said projections extending at least partially across each of said two paths; and

a plurality of upstanding playing pieces, each of said playing pieces 'having means which can be disposed in spaced alignment along said paths whereby said playing pieces can be successively toppled upon digital actuation of one piece in one path, whereby, when said toppling pieces in said one path strike and pivot said projections, the playing pieces in the intersecting path are also successively toppled.

13. An amusement device comprising:

a game board having a plurality of playing paths therea pivotal gate means between each of said playing paths;

and,

a pluarity of normally upstanding playing pieces, each of said playing pieces having means adapted to be disposed in spaced alignment along said playing paths whereby said playing pieces can be disposed in upstanding alignment along said paths, and whereby, when a playing piece in one path is toppled, it topples the next adjacent piece and initiates a successive toppling of pieces in that path until the last piece in said first named path strikes said pivotal gate means and thus causes the playing pieces in the next adjacent path to topple away from said pivotal gate means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 555,288 2/ 1896 Keiser 273111 591,817 10/1897 Collmar et al 273-111 1,041,535 10/1912 Wallace 273--111 2,402,390 6/1946 Gardner 461 2,713,489 7/ 1955 Glaser 461 X 2,776,835 1/ 1957 Wilson 461 X RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS I. BOVASSO, Assistant Examiner. 

13. AN AMUSEMENT DEVICE COMPRISING: A GAME BOARD HAVING A PLURALITY OF PLAYING PATHS THEREON; A PIVOTAL GAME MEANS BETWEEN EACH OF SAID PLAYING PATHS; AND, A PLURALITY OF NORMALLY UPSTANDING PLAYING PIECES, EACH OF SAID PLAYING PIECES HAVING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN SPACED ALIGNMENT ALONG SAID PLAYING PATHS WHEREBY SAID PLAYING PIECES CAN BE DISPOSED IN UPSTANDING ALIGNMENT ALONG SAID PATHS, AND WHEREBY, 